Teenage Dream

Boring Disclosure: I was provided the items reviewed in this post but, as always, every word written is mine alone and based upon my honest experience and opinions. Let's be real, I ain't got time to make this stuff up.

Ok, let's talk acne.

Adult acne.

So, so damn sexy.

I honestly thought that by the time I was 30, my skin would finally catch a break from the torment of pimples, scarring and acne washes that peeled the top layer of my face off.

Yeah, no such luck.

I did get a teensy break through my pregnancy (which I did not see coming) but that just cleared the way for the new wrinkles and old scars to darken thanks to the hormone surge that is being knocked up.

But since I evicted my off spring, I'm back on the acne roller coaster. Stress, Aunt Flo, travel and (probably) my 1,000 Chick Fil A visits a week all compound and show up on my money maker.

Not a good look.

Ya'll in a minute, I am going to do something that I never, ever thought I would do.

I'm going to publish a photo of my face, make up free, freshly scrubbed from the hot shower and completely unhidden by bangs for the entire planet to see.

If you aren't into that, and I can't say that I blame you, then go on ahead and skip to the bottom, you'll want to check out the end of this post, promise.

So anyway.

An Instagram friend of mine, Brittany, reached out to me after I went and blabbed about my skin during a rogue moment of self wallowing. She thought she might know just what to do and would I be interested in giving her 3 months to get my mug in order.

Frankly, I didn't think she had a shot.

We were in the middle of the move, stressed to the max, eating out constantly and traveling all over the place. But hell, who am I to stop a girl from taking on a challenge.

I just had to be able to see the difference when I looked back three months later......

So I set up my DSLR on the tripod and caught this shot of my skin fresh out of the shower.

Jesus take the wheel.

Try to ignore my busted lip.

I do that to myself when I'm super stressed. It's gross and we don't need to talk about it.

But go on and take note of the pimples, new red scars, old deep scars, redness and forehead wrinkles.

So, anyway.

Seeing that shot in real time spurred me to tear open that Rodan + Fields box and get to scrubbing. I was prepared to start a new acne regimen and then need to hide out for a week or two as the wash peeled my face off and left me looking like Samantha at Carrie's big book party.

But, much to my cynical surprise, the Unblemish Kit never once dried my face out.

The wash is sulfur based so it calms your skin instead of searing it off, like salicylic acid might.

At Brittany's suggestion, I did add a bit of Cetaphil moisturizer to my routine as I already use it and I need the moisture on my combo skin.

I started using the system at the end of April and took my After photos today, July 29, with the same camera, selfie style.

Wanna see them?

I honestly can't believe the change.

Maybe it's just me....

Ok, just kidding, here's the After shot, sans makeup and unedited:

Wanna know how to tell for sure that this photo is unedited and shot by moi in the mirror?

That double chin.

Buzz, your girlfriend....woof.

(name that movie)

One more After for good measure:

I never expected to see a difference in my forehead wrinkles!

That was a total bonus that I really just noticed when looking at these shots.

And, for your viewing pleasure, a side by side:

kinda crazy huh?

Let's get to the good stuff, shall we?

Brittany is some sort of Rodan + Fields angel because she has two of their most popular products sitting in her cute little hands, just ready to give away to one of my readers!

34 comments

I never ever believe products that claim to change your skin (c'mon ProActiv) but whoa...I want to try this. I don't have too much acne anymore but after having a baby, my skin just looks tired. I would give a lot to have smooth, glowing, even skin!

I've been wanting to try the sunless tanner...but now I'd like to see their other products. I live in AZ so my face is mostly dry and I do (at 36) have some fine lines/forehead wrinkles that could use some help!

I just want to say (and I am not lying) I think you look pretty damn good without makeup!! I think R&F is getting in my head because I am really starting to think I need it. I always talk about those two small scars from my skin scrape and I want them BANISHED!!!

I'm using the Refine line from R&F and really am enjoying it. I think I snapped a mirror selfie via iPhone at some point that I probably shouldn't ever look back at. But it is always fun to look at before and afters!! you look awesome gal!